Author: chris

Submit a paper of a journal entry of the visit to each of the historic houses and the Panel Discussion.

Include:

• the Panel Discussion,

• the Omni Parker House Hotel

• the Nichols House

• The Colonial Society House

• The Longfellow House/Archives

• The Gibson House

• The Harrison Grey Otis House/Archives

Each paper will include, but not be limited to the following:

•overall impressions,

•what you thought worked and what didn’t work

•what was the make-up of the tour group

•were questions allowed

•how did the docent engage or not engage the participants

•what was the theme, and how was the theme received by the visitors

•discuss your overall impression and evaluation of the tour guide and the interpretive manner of the tour.

•What information shared by the panel was useful, surprising, unclear, and how do you think it can be used

SAUDI ARABIAN CULTURE
NAME
INSTITUTION
THE SAUDI ARABIA CULTURE
Introduction
The culture, tradition, and way of life of the Saudi Arabia people are deeply rooted in the Islamic religion and heritage. Their attitudes and customs are traced back to many centuries and are highly of Arabic civilization. However, the rapid change in civilization and modernization has had an impact on their ways of life; their original nomadic culture is still alive and practiced widely. An important feature of the Arabia culture and tradition is their adaptability to the new modern ways of life. They have fused their lives, culture, and traditions of the moderns’ civilization. Saudi culture differs in areas such as housing pattern, dances, folk songs, and clothing
Language
Saudi Arabians official language is Arabic although use English widely due to intercultural interactions. Arabic is considered the language of the Qur’an, literature, and their poetry. Though the dialect has remained unchanged over the years, the style varies from nation to nation.
Islamic Culture
The way of life of all Saudi Arabians adheres to the Islamic teachings. The State laws of Saudi Arabia require that all citizens are Muslims, and there is no freedom of religion. The religion has significantly shaped their way of life, politically, socially, and legally. The country is the origin of Islamic religion and receives millions of visitors each year. Prophet Muhammad is considered the last prophet God sent. He was a great messenger tasked with bringing revelation to humanity. He brought forth the Quran, which is the foundation of their religious conviction. He is credited with the teachings, and holy life brought forth in observance of religious practices and the faith. The Muslims are obliged to observe prayer five times in a day, in the evening, sunset, afternoon, noon, and at dawn. Friday is their holy day marked by all Muslims, with all companies and shops closed on that particular day. The holy month of Ramadan requires fasting from morning to evening with permission of only working for six hours in a day. During this period, they fast with prayer, nor drinking, no smoking or chewing of gum. The days of Ramadan are marked with celebrations that go late into the night and people take on activities slowly with no hurry nor strain. In terms of religion, the country is genuinely religious with very conservative practices. They consider the Quran as their Constitution. The Quran also offers the people typical way of life in the Arabic language and poetry.
The Bedouin
They are taken to be the original occupants of the current Saudi Arabia. They are a minority but very influential in the Saudi Nation. They form a significant portion of religious heads, National Guards, and the Judiciary, which is preserved by the government.
Government
A King, assisted by a crown prince, serves as the commander in chief and heads Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince helps the King with official duties and is second in line to the command. Council of Ministers forms the cabinet and helps the King in managing the different parts of the government, which includes education, infrastructure, finance, and foreign affairs. The country has thirteen provinces headed by a governor and assisted by a deputy governor.
The Judicial system is Islamic Law (Sharia Law) with the King at the apex of the legal structure. The Sharia Courts are the largest and hears a majority of the cases in the kingdom.
Cultural Institutions
Several cultural centers are established all over the Kingdom to promote their unique blend of cultures. For instance, the cultural department under the ministry of culture and information has several programs that include, folklore shows, arts and crafts events, drama clubs, and theatrical occasions. King Fahd also sponsors several cultural events in Riyadh that offer several research facilities, Islamic literature, and collections. Several museums are established to promote cultural activities such as the National Museum based in Riyadh.
Al-Janadriyah Festivities
These festivals take place in heritage villages located in Riyadh and are a reflection of the Kingdoms custom and culture. It is an annual event planned during the first month of their calendar. The events are meant to revive the cultural heritage by handcraft activities and traditional houses. It is commonly regarded as the best occasion to reflect on the vast and unique heritage, culture, and traditional practices.
The valuable Treasure
Considered as the most precious treasure by the Saudis, the Arabian horse has connections linking it to the Arabian Peninsula. It is characterized by easy adaptation to different climatic conditions, high speed, loyalty, and intelligence. The Saudis highly value the horse
Folk Music and dance
The Saudi music is greatly influenced by Bedouins nomadic lifestyle. Their music differs from region to region. For instance, music from the al-sihba region put together poetry and Arab Andalusia. Folk songs are similar between different areas such as the Makkah and the Madinah. The ardha dance, performed by men is the most common and widespread. The dance is performed by men and is commonly known as the sword dance. It is a combination of dancers’ and singers holding up swords. A narrator accompanies the dance. The poet who leads in the singing is normally at the center while men carrying swords are in a circle.
Poetry
The nomadic lifestyle of the Bedouin, poetry was taken as an oral way of life. Tales of bravery, war, love, and chivalry were told in most gatherings. They formed entertainment events and a way of preserving their traditions, social values, and history. The Quran forms the center of their language policy, with popular aired poetry competitions on the local television programs.
Dressing and Jewelry
The Saudi people go for traditional attire, which also go well with the hot, windy climate. The style helps them keep in form with the Islamic recommendation for modesty. Women are required to cover their entire bodies as well as their hair and face. Men on the other hand do wear western attires on some occasions.
Men
Men put on ankle length cloth best known as ghutra, folded, and held with a cord better known as igaal. The outer clock was frequently used as a blanket too in the olden days while travelling.
Women
Women have the outer cloak best referred to as abaya. They cover their heads by wearing a Shayla wrapped around the neck and held in place with some jewelry. The traditional dresses in most cases have decorations of sequins and coins or at times brightly colored artistic decorations. The veil dates back to many centuries before the introduction of Islam in Saudi Arabia. It was used in the desert to protect against the strong winds and bright sunlight in the desert. Although currently, the veil is considered a sign of virtue and modesty if put on by a woman. In some places in Saudi, it is mandatory for women to put on the veil.
Jewelry
Jewelry is considered as a symbol of status in the society both socially and economically. Within the Bedouins, it served as a means of transporting wealth in addition to security. The jewels were made of silver and at times gold although to a small extent. They were further decorated using coins and tiny bells. In the current Saudi lifestyle, a husband offers their wives jewelry as gifts before and even after marriage. Girls were accorded solid gold as gifts. It has been a traditional practice since time immemorial.
Marriage
Traditional marriage in the Islamic State revolves around tribe and family arrangements. For strengthening the tribe and family, sons, daughters, and cousins are highly inspired to marry although into other tribes is also encouraged. Their marriages have always been very closesuch as marriage between first and second cousins. Men too were encouraged to marry many wives. It is a common practice in the country to get a family of one man and four wives in addition to about ten or so children.
Steps towards Marriage
After identifying a potential mate, the mother to the bride is informed and the two families decide if the marriage is appropriate. The next step is unveiling of the bride before the husband to be. If plans go well, the bride price is decided and sanctioned by imam. The bridegroom later presents the bride price in a family meeting together with gifts of jewels. A date is set, which is usually considered as the formal engagement. Known as the Henna gathering or party, it is centered on decorating the bride in a traditional way by use of paste. Finally, the wedding festivities takes place much later after the proposal, which is attended by family, guests and close associates. The men and women hold celebrations separate from each other because their culture does not allow them to mix during such occasions. The festivities can take several days after which the bride and bridegroom are shown to their new household.
Socialization
Individuals socialize around family homes and with family members most of the time. They have regular visits with women taking on the responsibility of domestic workers. Men socialize a lot with fellow men where they gather in several groups commonly referred to as majmu’ where they take on gossips, jokes, and playing cards. They occasionally meet in designated locations or in each other’s households. Families live close to one another and prefer to do business with one another. The family members help each other a lot particularly in situations such as securing job opportunities and favors.
Greetings
Greetings among Saudi men are very formal and usually take time as they inquire more about each other’s wellbeing. In addition, it is their tradition to welcome strangers and show kindness. Visitors are offered large servings of food, which is a sign of welcome and appreciation.
Food
Saudi food has greatly been swayed by Persian and African food. Alcohol is strictly forbidden while pork is usually considered unclean. Both foreigners and some local Saudis consume alcohol secretly. This includes locally made brews and imports brought in illegally. Drinking of coffee is taken as a ceremonial gesture, and visitors are needed to drink two to three cups to show appreciation. Guests are also expected to eat to their fill.

References
Strijp R. (1965-1987). Cultural Anthropology of the Middle East: A Bibliography. New York, NY; Brill

 Piaget championed the view that children participate actively in their own development. How do the sensorimotor child’s contributions differ from the formal-operational child’s contributions?
 Compare the role of cultural influences in Piaget’s theory, neo-Piagetian theory, and Vygotsky’s theory.
 Compare and contrast the major approaches to intelligence in terms of the extent to which they make connections between different aspects of development. That is, to what extent does each perspective emphasize cognitive processes versus integrating physical, cognitive, social, and emotional processes?
 What are the characteristics of gifted and creative children? What are the different forms of mental retardation? What are learning disabilities?
 How does the research in Module 10.1 support the view that children actively try to interpret and understand the world?
 Discuss cultural influences on language acquisition.
 What can parents and caregivers do to promote language development?
 What are the biological bases of temperament? How does the environment influence temperament? How do nature and nurture interact to influence temperament?
 How do an infant’s behaviors contribute to the formation of attachment? How do the caregiver’s behaviors contribute?
 How does self-esteem change as children develop?
 When do children develop prejudice toward others?

Title Page
Table of contents
List of Table and figures
Introduction ( Background, Problem Statement, Purpose, Research Questions, Significance, Delimitation/Limitation, Definition of terms)
Related Literature
Methods (Design, Population, and Sample, Instruments, Data Collection,Data Analysis, Results/conclusion)

The questions that arise around the auteur will be focus on what is an auteur? How and why the auteur is still “alive” and what are the influences of it in its own work? What is the reader? Does it have to be seen the reader as an individual or it could be seen as an individual that makes part of a collective? Answering these questions will open up to the questions of how the filmmaker (auteur) represent itself in its own work? What are the modes of representation? Are these representations open to a free interpretation by the reader, if not how is the relation-interpretation between auteur and reader? These questions will be analysing together with the help of three films: The Gleaners and I (Varda, 2000), Blue (Jarman, 1993) and Dear Diary (Moretti, 1993). Also, in order to understand the auteur and the reader one question to address is the film discourse of each film and how these discourses are related to the two of them.

Reviewing “Shifting Boundaries”
The Helmstadter article contains plenty of information on the Crimean War and the nursing experiences. Nightingale conducted several experiments that left many long-lasting legacies for the future of nursing. Today, some of these legacies are still relevant and crucial for the nursing profession. One of the legacies regards women nurses during the war. The most interesting factor regarding this concept is that Nightingale, the English Social reformer present at the time, found it difficult to work with secular nurses.
This point is rather ironic as compared to the contemporary society. Religious nurses are the best to work with because they show much compassion for the patients they are tasked with caring. Conversely, secular nurses are the best for this career considering they have the ability to go beyond their boundaries regardless of the rules if a certain situation requires them to act.
The modern nursing environment has changed to occupy these secular nurses in the same measure as religious nurses. However, the type of secular nurses present in early days was quite different and did not possess any morals, which is the reason Nightingale found them difficult to relate to in the working environment.
Mary Stanley for example was the most difficult individual to work with. She was very rebellious to any form of instructions issued to her and the rest of the group. She did not respect Nightingale’s authority or the other seniors around her. Her financial responsibility was a factor that got Nightingale’s concern, and this is because Miss Stanley had received some compensation money alongside her troop as they traveled. However, she had already run short, and Nightingale had to use her money on her. The contemporary society has very many responsible nurses, both secular and religious because of policies and standards that treat all nurses equally. Reading this article of such non-resilient nurses is quite illuminating on the situation in early days that have shaped nursing today.

Philosophy, Concepts and Principles of Dr. W. Edwards Deming
Dr. Edwards Deming offered key principles and concepts, which management can consider for the significant improvement of an organization’s effectiveness. A multitude of these principles and concepts take a philosophical perspective while others are more programmatic. Nonetheless, all are transformative in nature. According to Deming, if management committed itself to these principles and concepts, productivity as well as quality in a business or an organization would improve. Below is the consideration of these concepts and principles.
The concept of “quality” has undergone an evolution that has seen it gain a meaning far more than a product’s integrity. In today’s management perspective, quality is representative of a philosophy, practices and a system of methodologies. It represents an ongoing commitment to the excellence of an organization that encompasses all organizational issues, and engages all members of an organization. Deming stresses the importance of the role of management, both individually and collectively, in the delivery of quality. He argues that problems associated with quality in the range of 80-90% are under the control of management, putting focus on an organization’s diverse cultural change and employee/management cooperation as the only way to achieving high quality.
According to Dr. Edwards Deming, quality in any business or organization can be achieved by reducing the gap between customer requirement and process performance. Based on this premise, Deming came up with a number of management’s deadly mistakes that contribute to quality crises in an organization. Among these mistakes he identified are that managers often make product plans that are deficient of consistency and purpose; that they focus on short-term thinking, and do not stick to one job and hop from one place to another. In a move to eliminate these mistakes and help businesses prosper, Deming developed fourteen points that management in any size or type of organization can follow. These points have contributed to the global success of many firms, such as P & G.
To exemplify some of these points, Deming requires managers to put aside their preoccupation today to make sure there is a tomorrow; they have to orient themselves to continuous improvement of products and services to meet the needs of customers and stay ahead of competition. They must have a constant innovative portfolio and commit resources to support innovation and continuous quality improvement. They have to remove barriers that stand in the way of their organization’s ability to produce quality products and services. Management has to institute contemporary methods of productions and supervision in order to ensure product quality. In addition, managers have to establish a structure in top management that will ensure that all of these points are followed on a daily basis.
Just like many quality experts who have developed methods of quality improvement, Deming came up with the six-sigma. The six-sigma is a method of quality improvement that covers product, process and quality, and employee-based improvements that can be carried out to ensure quality in an organization. It aims at improving business or organization processes and products by minimizing imperfections. This methodology combines several established methods of quality control. For example, it comprises of statistical process control, and design of experiments. SPC helps in the measurement and control of quality during the process of product or service production. Through the SPC, six-sigma can be used to obtain the quality data in the form of commodity or process measurement.

Tintern Abbey
The poem “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey, Revisiting the Banks of the Wye during a Tour. July 13, 1798” the speaker starts with a vibrant description of the location he last paid a visit. Though it is many years since he was last there, the speaker describes the location vividly that it seems real. He recounts the visible objects again as he sees them including the effect it has on him. For instance, he talks about the sharp and lofty rocks that had a profound impact on him. With feelings of more isolation, the speaker alludes to the effect the scenery has on his mind and attention. He looks out at the “wreaths of smoke”; he imagines that he can see them escalate up from the dwellers in the woodlands. The speaker gives a precise manifested description of the images playing through his mind as he recounts in the monologue.
In their absence, the speaker describes how the images have had a lasting effect on him. He recounts how his recollection of the beautiful scenes has had a profound effect on him and in his absenteeism. He says they provide him with great sensations that are sweet, and felt in the heart. The recollections of the woodlands and huts provided the speaker with serene renewal to his concentration. He further mentions how the woodlands had a high impact and influence in him especially in his actions of love, kindness, and passion. The speaker gives acknowledgement to the reminiscence of the scenery that gave him a mental state in which the weight of the universe is lightened and he ends up in a spiritual state with the ability to see into living things. The speaker’s imagery description is powerful enough to offer a lasting impact long after the speaker is away from the scenery. This is illustrated by acknowledging that he is now different young man especially from running over the mountains with high energy. That time is long gone, and he appreciates that he can continue with his old age relationship with Mother Nature as he is well recompensed by matured gifts. For instance, he can sense the manifestation of a subtle, powerful, and fundamental occurrence in situations such as the rising sun, the air, and in the minds of fellow men. To the speaker, this high power seems to be a movement and spiritual realism that rolls over all things. It is due to this that the speaker appreciates and loves nature, the mountains, pastures and the woodlands.
The powerful imagery description is further extended to the speaker’s sister, whom he describes as my dear Sister, who at the same time is his, dear friend. He appreciates and beholds his long gone days and offers a plea to Mother Nature that she remains the same. The speaker’s narration is so vivid and full of emotions that make it appear as if it was a recent occurrence.
Kubla Khan by Taylor Coleridge
The speaker in this poem describes the object as a phenomenon of a very unusual device as well as a dome made up of several curves. The speaker’s vibrant description gives the romantic setting a new meaning in the midst of a beautiful garden and rainforest. A deep feeling of emotional attachment is elicited in the poem with powerful words that remain in the mind of the speaker. He responds and appreciates the profound romantic feeling experienced in the sloppy downhill spewing out a powerful emission of water. The emissions are immense, making the water fling out boulders “like rebounding hail”. In an attempt to give a clear significance and vision of the scene, the speaker uses a definite description that offers a perfect picture of the sight. About five miles into the woods, the river sunk into a bottomless silent ocean. This is a description of the river joining a quiet sea described as lifeless.
The speaker acknowledges that he encountered a house help at one time, who was playing her dulcimer while singing Mount Abora. He wished he could revive his singing prowess inside him. He knew that he could surely come up with the best of music. He credits that the listeners would come round him three times with eyes closed with the belief that he had gotten the taste of honeydew, and took some milk from a different planet. Here the speaker is offering the vivid scene in which he sees himself being applauded for his beautiful, lovely music composition. It is more like a vision in a dream. The hearers would be in a position to decipher the risky power of the dream, which eventually would become apparent in the expectant eyes of the hearers. Of which they would eventually take part. The speaker’s description of the effect of the music on the listener is strong and elicits powerful emotions and effect that is brought out by their joining in with the others to appreciate the speaker’s music.

MEXICAN AMERICAN AND LATINO EDUCATION STRUGGLES IN THE SOUTHWEST
NAME
INSTITUTION
Mexican American and Latino Education Struggles in the Southwest
“Deculturalization and the struggle for equality” by Joel Spring highlights on the education policies that dominated various races and groups in the United States. The author concentrates on the educational, social, and legal aspects of racism while focusing on training practices that related to segregation, civil rights violations and deculturalization. Spring gives power of opinion to the minority groups comprising of the Hispanic/Latino, Asian Americans, African Americans, and the Native Americans. In chapter five, the author addresses and highlights on the segregation and exclusion of the Hispanic/Latino Americans in the Education system and institutions of learning. It analyzes the tactics used in the Americanization of the Hispanic and Latino races. The chapter delves into how the Hispanic Latino Americans faced oppression and subjugation in the education system that left them as academic dwarfs in the face of massive transformation in the education system. The historical injustices that faced the Hispanic Latino groups dealt a big blow to their aspirations for higher learning and leadership in the society. This was made worse by acts of racism and mistreatment by the administration both at the local and national level. The group faced forced assimilation and hard lined segregation that left them at the mercy of the majority races.
Quotes
“Schools can help people escape from poverty by teaching the knowledge and skills needed for employment and instilling values of hard work and discipline”- Joel Spring
One of the major purposes of education is to help an individual acquire necessary skills relevant in the job market. Coupled with inner determination of self-restraint and commitment to work at hand, an individual can be able to achieve great success and be able to make a change in their financial status.
“If we center the purpose of education and schooling only on the human capital ideology, we miss the opportunity to raise the next generation to be well-rounded with strong grounding in ethical, moral, cultural, and patriotic values,”- Joel Spring
Centering the drive of education on only acquiring wealth and securing job opportunities, produces half-baked persons with no moral nor ethical values. An education fixated on only job security and monetary matters lacks the necessary values expected in building a well-versed individual.
“The number of jobs operating high-tech instruments will outnumber jobs requiring college trained scientists and engineers in the future”- Joel Spring
The rise and development of technology is gradually pushing the young ones into techno savvy careers making other courses for instance engineering lack persons to pursue them. Individuals lose interest in careers that do not conform to technological advances such as in science-oriented courses.

Questions for Discussion
1. How did the resistance to Deculturalization and Americanization have impact on the tactics success?
2. How effective were the education policies in the Deculturalization of the races?

 

Strategic Business Plan for a Restaurant
A strategic planning process for a business helps in creating a clear vision and mission and looks at the critical aspects necessary for steering it towards success (Mask). Bella Home-Feel Restaurant (BHR) will be a reasonably priced 20 seat restaurant that offers foods and services in a family style. Mashed potatoes, breasted chicken, generous salads, and hamburgers are some of the delicacies that will be on the restaurant’s menu. Additionally, specialty selections inclusive of lighter choices and smaller portions for a children’s menu will form part of the restaurant’s menu items. With a planned location in Grate Lanes Street, Texas, the restaurant will be owned by three classmates: Jane Wring, Brian Alladice, and Sammy Lee. The mission of the restaurant is to provide an exceptional relaxing dining experience likened to home.
BHR will appeal to a wide range of consumers in two main communities: the residential community and the business community. The selected location of the business was mainly chosen because of the growing number of households in the area. This business is intended to appeal to these households as it has been established that most household owners in the area are busy with work. The busy schedule leaves little time to prepare a family-like meal for themselves and their family members. Neighboring BHR in the selected area within a 4 mile radius are two other restaurants that may provide significant competition to the business: Berkafam Restaurant and Restpick Restaurant. Berkfam Restaurant is a 30 seat full family restaurant established in 2005 and runs as a sole proprietorship. Owned by two brothers, Restpick was established in late 2010 as a 40 seat restaurant and has a menu that offers home experience and comfort.
To establish a competitive aggression, BHR will adopt a competitive edge based on its people and the meals and services it serves. It is our belief that a business’ success is not only determined by the quality of the product or services it produces, but also its staff as well (AuBuchon). The employees that we intend to have are a reflection of the business’s values. Initially, our intention is to have our family members as the restaurant’s employees who will work for lower and reduced wages. In the long run, we will hire team more members that with careful selection and regard to the values of the business. Additionally, we intend to have a wide selection on our menu that incorporates menu options for children’s food and lighter, fairly priced orders. Furthermore, the restaurant shall be open seven days a week including public holidays, unlike our competitors who open six days a week and remain closed on public holidays.
BHR expects to hire 15 employees in the long run selected by the three business owners; Jane Wring, Brian Alladice, and Sammy Lee. We plan to adopt an effective interview process designed to select highly qualified employees for the restaurant’s various positions. Initially, the three partners will make up the management team of the business and will try to ensure the quality of products, provision of friendly customer service and control the business costs. We plan to make the business grow in the future by staying current with the industry trends. In this regard, we will have a web page, a twitter site, and a Facebook page and even e-mail orders from our customers. However, there are plans to hire a general manager, sales director and kitchen manager over time as the three partners do not have the necessary academic qualifications and experience to run the business.
It is within the plans of BHR to utilize a positioning strategy that will ensure that we position ourselves as the premier restaurant that serves home-style meals. Consumers have the belief that meals prepared at home have a higher quality and are healthier than meals prepared in restaurants. At BHR, we will prepare quality homemade meals with simple, wholesome ingredients. In addition, the three partners will see to it that the restaurant prepares and serves customers with healthier foods that reflect the latest trends in the food industry. Bella Home-feel Restaurant will be positioned as the modern home-style restaurant.